Two Tickets To Paradise

The perfect winter getaway: Tropical. Check. 70 degrees and inhabited by tall palms at the shore. Absolutely. A whimsical retreat miles from the nearest road or airport? Think again.

Why travel past civilization and back again when you can hit an island within a Southern California metropolis (you read right), minutes from the mainland? We’re talking San Diego’s quaint community, Shelter Island.

Award-winning Chef Paul Murphy of Humphreys Restaurant is the face of luxurious island dining, having helmed the bayfront kitchen for over 12 years. He dishes global modern cuisine to locals and visitors alike.

Photo credit: Robert Benson

Feeding celebrities and performers for six months out of the year on and off the Humphreys stage, including Tina Turner and Bill Cosby. Don’t miss this season’s final performance on October 31, 2013 with Two Door Cinema Club.

This just in: The Wanted was added to the concert line up for October 17!

The neighboring marina is the perfect view for enjoying Paul’s decadent jumbo lump crabcake, overflowing with chunks of fresh crab and served with 2241 aioli with a red or white selection from Humphreys’ endless wine list. Or, order the ginger-honey marinated skirt steak ($11) for some small plate passing and sharing. Hungry vacationers: opt for Mary’s Organic Chicken confit with aged Grafton Vermont sharp white cheddar ($23) or the decedent Smoked Salmon Pasta with bacon and Romano cheese ($22).

Photo credit: Robert Benson

After dinner, head to the adjacent swanky, newly-renovated Humphreys Backstage Live for cocktails and live tunes in a dimly lit, sexy setting. Sip on an Ocean Song with Blue Curacao, Midori, coconut rum and orange and pineapple juices. (Are we on vacation yet?) Or, have dessert with your live entertainment with Humphreys’ lemon zest cheesecake, a succulent combination of lemon, raspberry sauce and fresh berries. Who knows which performer will be strumming and singing tonight? After all, American classics like America and Hootie and the Blowfish were discovered at the lounge.

After appeasing your ears and palates, stroll past the gorgeous sailboats in the marina and up to your plush Humphreys suite for a waves-tapping-the-shore induced slumber. Nighty night, islanders!

I will sure add this to my bucket list of places I’d like to see before I die. But I’d only be kidding myself. I can tell just by looking at it that I’d have to win the lottery, or they’d have to lose their minds and start offering everything for free before I could go. Spectacular place.